Luke Paul chooses Next Stars over college money

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Freshly-minted NBL Next Star Luke Paul has revealed he studies former Next Star and Chicago Bulls point guard Josh Giddey.

The 1.98m 16-year-old Western Australian point guard signed his first professional contract as a NBL Next Star today.

"I watch a lot of Josh Giddey," Paul said during HoopsFest in Perth.

"I pick his game apart. I take a lot of his playmaking and try to put it into my game, just his overall game. I’ve watched a lot of him. He’s a big one for me.

"Guys like Josh Giddey and LaMelo Ball have paved the way in the Next Stars program.

"As a big guard, and them being big guards as well, it made it easier to know that I can take the next step, and they’ve taken the next step to the NBA.

"Knowing that those players have made it a pathway straight to the NBA definitely made it easier for me."

Paul said he had already met with former NBA superstar and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson on Friday. Iverson is in Perth for HoopsFest.

‍"He was just talking about pressure," Paul revealed.

"I asked him what it was like being the No. 1 pick, and he said pressure is something like your family being sick or you can’t put food on the table. He said, why not have the ball in your hands at the end of the game? You’ve worked so hard for this moment, so why not?

"That was really cool, to have a one-on-one meeting and have a chat with him."

Paul was named MVP of the 2025 FIBA Under-16 Asia Cup in September, leading the Australian Crocs to the gold medal and starring in the final with 26 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in 27 minutes.

"It’s amazing to sign my first pro contract at 16," Paul added.

"It’s pretty unreal. Not many kids across the world get to sign a pro contract at 16, so I’m just very grateful for Liam and Daniel to put me in the position that I’m in, and I couldn’t be more grateful."

He was awarded with a scholarship at Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Canberra in the ACT last year and is expected to suit up for CoE in NBL1 2026.

Next Stars general manager said Liam Santamaria: "It’s big. We always want the program to be a great option for the best young Australian talent, and talent from all over the world.

"You mentioned LaMelo (Ball), Alex Sarr, Karim Lopez, those types of players. In the vein of Josh Giddey, we’ve seen Alex Toohey, Rocco Zikarsky, Dash Daniels is in the program right now. We want to make sure that the Next Stars program — a unique, highly regarded pathway to the NBA right here in Australia — is a great option for top young Australian talent.

"We’re super excited that Luke and his great family and his representatives have put that faith and trust in not only us, but our clubs. They have great confidence that there’s going to be a terrific environment for him to develop in."

Paul said the NIL in US College basketball didn't play a role in his decision to become a Next Star.

"I don’t think it’s the money for me," he said.

"I love the game of basketball. If I was chasing the money, then obviously I would choose college.

"But the NBL Next Stars program is such a program where I get to develop against professionals every day. The money’s changed, but the money’s not for me. If I get good enough, the money will come to me. Being able to play the game and love the game is the big thing for me."

Paul is already talking like a true point guard when asked about his playing strengths.

"Making plays for my team," he declared.

"I love getting assists on the board. You can score 20 points, but it’s making my teammates’ lives easier and making sure they get involved in every way they can.

"That’s my biggest trait — my playmaking."

As for who he will play for in the NBL, his home state Perth Wildcats are an option but Paul just wants to play for: "A team that’s going to trust me, keep me accountable for my mistakes, but also give me the ability to do well in a team.

"That’s all I want — accountability and opportunity."